Mid-1800s French confectioner's box. A uniquely beautiful (if imperfect) c.1840-70 French confectioner's presentation box, loaded with silk ribbon decoration over a red silk fabric outer covering, and with the old original paper interior but no confectioner's stamp still in place. This was originally a box a customer could choose from many similarly made lightweight wood or card boxes, and could order the exact selection of confections to fill the interior (in their small paper wraps or cups, protecting the paper linging). The boxes were traditional, meant as the souvenir of the gift of chocolates. The giveaway is the light weight. They're typically made of either layered card (compressed cardboard), or of balsa or similar very light woods, then covered elaborately. In their time, a less costly box than those hardwood boxes the ebanistes of Paris were making, but one ornate and lovely enough to thrill the recipient, once he or she had consumed the sweets within. The early history of chocolate and French chocolatiers is so interesting, and collecting the early confection boxes is a wonderful idea.

Good to very good condition for age and type. You can see the typical form, a lightweight wooden or card-press box that is hand decorated with paper lined interior and a silk fabric-lined exterior, both showing age. The trim on the outer box is loom woven ribbon in silk. The original old lock works and the original key remains with the box. Photos show you the condition, some wear to the old fabric, but these boxes are quite rare to find - wonderful to collect. Chocolate lovers - one to add to your collection.

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